Former VFW Treasurer Pleads Not Guilty

The former treasurer of the Lynn VFW was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court last week in connection with stealing more than $300,000 from the organization. The VFW is a non-profit.

George Robertson, 65, a Lynn resident, faces charges of Larceny over $250 and with using the name of the VFW illegally.

He entered a plea of not guilty.

He was later released on personal recognizance.

According to Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office, an investigation began last year into Robertson’s alleged theft of funds from the VFW – Lynn VFW 507.

Following a thorough investigation into Robertson’s handling of the organization’s funds, law enforcement authorities believe Robertson fraudulently withdrew and transferred funds from the VFW bank account to his own at a bank in Stoneham.

Authorities claim he had been doing this beginning in September 2010 through May 2011.

Further claims have been made by the attorney general’s office alleging that Robertson waited until the VFW sold its headquarters and the surrounding property and deposited the funds from that sale before beginning to withdraw them for redeposit into his own account.

Like many VFW’s across the nation, Lynn 506 had been experiencing declining membership and funds available and had chosen to sell-off the property, which was valuable.

The alleged larceny was discovered when a bank manager noticed that Robertson was depositing VFW checks into his personal account.

Robertson was indicted by a grand jury in March.

He was, as reported, arraigned on April 4.

He is due back in court on May 15 for a pre-trial conference.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Margret Cooke.